Sanchez played for Chile despite nursing a hip injury before reporting up and is due to arrive back for Arsenal on Thursday.

Wenger admits it is far from ideal but says he is caught up in the familiar club versus country row.

Gunners boss Wenger said: “I cannot do a lot about it. He came off as you have seen against Manchester United with a hip problem, a problem with the rotator muscle and he wanted to go.

“He played in the last two games and we have to see how he comes back but it is always a tricky situation Chile are trying to qualify for the World Cup and he is an important player for them but they will use him if they can.

“He is a guy that always wants to play so I knew that was always going to be a tricky situation.

“Let’s see what happens and how he comes back. He comes back at 2pm today and I don’t think there is a lot you can do because he played. We have to see if we have to protect him in our next game or not.

“He has a bit of a difficult start to the season because he came back late and you could see that but now he is back to his level and even better than before. His overall game and finishing, contributing and assists is excellent.

“He works hard for the team and he finishes. His enthusiasm is contagious. He always gives you hope that he is going to do something and he gets defenders always on the back foot, provokes and that is top class.”

Wenger will give Laurent Koscielny a fitness test on Thursday but he may not be risked with Bayern Munich next Tuesday.